Bloodbound Betrayal

Chapter 18: Ned’s Sudden Confession

“Are you angry?” Ned’s heart leaped at the question he’d been dying to ask, and a smile broke across his face. “Sophie, that day when Archibald confessed to you, I saw everything—I was standing right at the street corner. I thought the reason you’ve been so distracted these past few days was because—”

He seized Sophie’s hand tightly. “Don’t accept his confession, okay? Sophie, he’s nothing but a playboy—he falls for every girl he meets, he’s fickle. You’ll be deceived; you’ll get hurt.”

“Let go!” Sophie jerked free with force. “I don’t understand what you mean!” Then she turned to leave.

Ned grabbed her arm. “Sophie, I like you too. Don’t be Archibald’s girlfriend—be mine, okay? I promise there will only ever be you by my side, forever only you. Don’t like Archibald, please?” The usually icy man flashed her a smile of devastating charm.

Sophie glared at him, forcing her face to betray nothing. But her body, her feet—they froze; she couldn’t take another step.

Ned gently pulled her into his arms. “I really, really like you. Before I met you, I thought I’d never truly fall for any girl—that in the end I’d just marry for family interests and live a numb life without love or affection, just like my parents.”

Feeling her struggling body, he softened his voice into a low, husky murmur: “Don’t push me away. It took everything I had to muster the courage to confess. Do you know how hard these past few days have been for me? I was terrified Archibald would steal you. Seeing you so lost and distracted—it’s been tearing me apart…”

Sophie finally broke free from his embrace. Her mother’s words echoed in her mind: Our family doesn’t belong in the same world as his—we have to stay far away, daughter. Otherwise, you’ll get hurt. Her gaze hardened with resolve.

Even though Sophie’s glare was full of resistance and cold indifference, Ned’s tone remained gentle: “Don’t be afraid. I’ll take care of everything—you just need to follow my lead. Trust me.” He lightly stroked her long hair. “Go home now. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning and take you to school.” With that, he fought the urge to kiss her cheek, turned, and walked away.

Sophie kept staring at him, expressionless, watching his retreating back—yet her eyes stung with a sudden, aching wetness…

Back at her apartment, she hastily finished a simple dinner and went to bed.

But sleep wouldn’t come…

Ned’s tender confession replayed over and over in her mind. She knew she liked him too—really liked him. She wanted so badly to say yes. But every time she remembered her mother’s warning, she pulled back.

Could Mom and Uncle Jonathan have been in love once, only to break up because of class differences?

No wonder Uncle Jonathan looked at her mother with such longing, regret, and reluctance…

The next morning, Sophie woke early, caught the first bus to campus, and buried herself in the library, forcing herself to focus on her books and push the question that had tormented her all night out of her mind—until Lara texted, inviting her to breakfast at the café.

The two of them savored a rare moment of peace in the café, laughing and chatting. Half a semester into university, they had become surface-level besties. Lara was like a little princess—beautiful, easygoing, gentle, elegant—though she occasionally threw princess-like tantrums. But they always blew over by the next day.

Sophie, who had no close friends since starting university, treasured this bond. She nurtured it carefully, smiling off Lara’s little quirks and never putting up her guard.

“Sophie, I went to Uncle Harrington’s wine party the other night and saw Ned. I mentioned you to him,” Lara said, leaning affectionately on Sophie’s shoulder.

“What did you say about me?” Sophie asked, still catching up on a professor’s assignment—she’d fallen behind juggling the hospital and C&C.

“Oh, I told him Archibald came all the way to campus to see you, and that Archibald seems to really like you.” Lara watched her face closely.

“That’s not true. Why would Archibald like me? But hey—if I told you Ned likes me, would you believe it?” Sophie teased, completely missing Lara’s expression.

A flash of panic crossed Lara's mind. "Is that so? From childhood to now, I've never seen Ned like any girl."

"No way. Yesterday he confessed to me, said he likes me!"

Upon hearing this, Lara suddenly sat up straight, grabbed a cup of coffee in a fluster, took a sip, then scalded herself and quickly spat it out. "Ah! It's scalding me, scalding me to death!" She frantically waved her hand to fan her burned lips.

"How can you be so careless? You really need to fix these impulsive little habits." Even while busily cleaning up the mess, she couldn't help but nag.

"Is what you said true? He confessed to you yesterday? You're not lying to me? You've never mentioned Ned before. Sophie, is this how you treat your best friend?" Lara suddenly questioned loudly.

"What do you mean true or false? What did I say? What's wrong with you?" Faced with Lara's sudden outburst, Sophie was stunned.

Tears began to fall uncontrollably from Lara's eyes. "I was even thinking of blessing you and Archibald, but who knew you were actually coveting your boss. He's mine. I've known since I was little—he belongs to me. I've loved him for 20 years, loved him since the day I was born... How could he confess to you? He's smelly and poor!"

Sophie watched her explosion, completely at a loss. "Lara, calm down. What are you talking about? Who do you love? You've never said anything. You've got me all confused."

"It's Ned, Ned. It's always been only him. He's mine. I've known since I was little that he would be my future husband. What are you even?" Lara was somewhat hysterical.

"What are you saying? I don't understand at all, Lara—" Despite her shock, Sophie still patiently tried to comfort her.